Can't speak for Mr Aravenel of course, but I'd say all of those things are better off as a suit. Houndstooth I wouldn't do as odd trousers - maybe an odd jacket. The others might be OK, being more of a texture than a pattern in my opinion, probably best in a rich/country colour and tone. Charcoal herringbone works quite nicely for trousers.

Quote:

Originally Posted by aravenel

Nailhead would maybe be OK as that's almost a texture more than a pattern, and resolves to solid... Maybe some birdseyes as well. But personally I'd stay away from anything more patterned than pick-and-pick/sharkskin in trousers.

Before anyone gets up in arms about how it's *possible* to do patterned trousers in some particular niche case, I'm coming at this from a practicality perspective. A pair of trousers that are very hard to pair and only go with one outfit are not something I want in my closet. If I had infinite money and infinite closet space, perhaps I'd consider it... But I don't, so I need my trousers to be easy to pair, and I'd wager that anyone on this forum who isn't Vox is in the same boat.

OK, thanks for the advice. I rely largely on odd trousers as I don't wear suits to work, so it's good to know what is typically "accepted" here.

Are cowboy boots with a conservative design and in good repair considered acceptable for casual wear? Maybe with a pair of well-fitting chinos and a Brooks Bros. sport shirt? Mind you I'm located in metropolitan Phoenix where the Western influence remains ever-present.

Lapels speak generally to formality more than to body weight or type. Peak lapels are the most formal lapels (you see them on dinner jackets for both white and black tie for example). So to answer, yes they are perfectly acceptable and in fact, if the coat is a double breasted, it would be required (imo).

Thanks for the pointer. I guess my confusion comes from having noticed quite a few younger professionals (like myself) sporting peak lapeled single-breasted suits lately. Often these are somewhat narrower than traditional peak lapels, but nowhere near as narrow as the fairly recent trend of super-slim notch lapels. They definitely don't look "formal" they way they are worn (often paired with very loud shirts, cheap ties, and even student backpacks). I was aware that tuxedos should be peak or shawl-lapeled, mine (Indochino 3-piece) has a shawl lapel. But I was shopping for a new navy M2M suit and was considering getting it with peaked lapel.

interesting. Time to delete these tie-tying apps, I'll take 3 of you guys over them any day of the week. Obvviously the developers don't know what they're talking about.

I don't get it. Google Windsor and everything is like this (image). The fat end crosses over the skinny one (down to the left), then up behind, through the loop then back over the skinny end (back down to the left in the picture) before going behind... My fat end goes through the loop then over the fat side to the right (figure-8-ish). I maybe need to re-photograph with better lighting?

I have a question regarding formal wear. I am currently on the market for a Tuxedo and I am in a predicament. I'm low on funds but want to do something different than the cliche mens wearhouse rental. As of Style, I was thinking vintage... like the old Military style tuxedos or the ones with the cut away coat.... any suggestions on where to find a good one?

I don't get it. Google Windsor and everything is like this (image). The fat end crosses over the skinny one (down to the left), then up behind, through the loop then back over the skinny end (back down to the left in the picture) before going behind... My fat end goes through the loop then over the fat side to the right (figure-8-ish). I maybe need to re-photograph with better lighting?

There are literally hundreds of ways of tying a tie -- many of them don't have proper names. Yours is just some odd variation somewhere between a half- and full-Windsor.